Track and curve gauge



June, 1923.

J. E. BUsBY TRACK AND CURVE GAUGE Filed Feb. 27, 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet l futon/w14 June 5, 1923.

J. E. BUSBY TRACK AND CURVE GAUGE Filed Feb. 27. 1922 2 sheet-shet 2 Patented June 5, i923. v

JUNI'US E. BUSBY, OF HAZARD, KENTUCKY.

TRACK AND CURVE GAUGE.

T0 all whom t 'may Concern.'

Be it known that l, JUNIUs E. BUsBY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Hazard, in the county of Perry and State of Kentucky, have invented certain new and useful Improvement-s in Track and Curve Gauges, of which the following is a specification,vreference being had to the accompanying drawings.

It is the purpose of the present invention to provide a track gauge for properly spacing the rails on straight tracks, and for locating center stakes for properly lining up and spacing curved rails on a curve,4 as well as leveling the rails, and also for elevating the outer rail of acurve, without the aid of a civil engineer.

Another purpose is the provision of animproved gauge of this character, wherein simple, efficient. and practical features of construction are involved.

It is to be understood that the particulars herein given are in no way limitative and that while still keeping within the scope of the invention, any desired modifications of detail and desired proportions may be made in the apparatus accordi-ng to circumstances.

The invention comprises further features and combination of parts, as will be hereinafter set forth, shown in the drawings and claimed.

In the drawings Figure l is a view in perspective showing the improved gauge constructed in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the same;

Figure 3 is a view in side elevation showing the gauge as applied to the opposite rails of the track;

Figure a is a sectional view on line i-Li of Figure l;

Figure 5 is an enlarged detail view of the detachable gauge rule 33, with it disposed on its edge, for measuring the easement of the rails; y l

Figure 6 is a detail view in elevation of one end of the track gauge, showing it clamped to a rail in section;

Figure 7 is an enlarged detail view of the detachable gauge extension, for measuring the elevation of the outer rail;

Figure 8 is an enlarged detail plan view of t-he rule 4l and the blocks 38 and 39; i

Figure 9 is a diagram of a track' showing the curve, which in the present instance has been found to be a four degree curve; Y FigurelO is a diagram of a track showlng a four degree curve therein, showing the method of finding the location of the easement and the tangent junction where the straight portion of the track merges into theA Referring to the drawings, l designates the usual form of track gauge, which comprises the tubular body 2 terminating in a rectangular fork 3 at one end, the arms of which rest upon the ball of the rail, whereas the spurs i engage the side of the ball of the rail. A'holding plate or clamp 5 also yrests uponv the ball of the rail, and has at one end an enlargement. 6, which rests upon the transverse part of the fork 'Hat one end of the body of the gauge. The enlargement 6 has downwardly extending lugs 7, whichv straddle the body of vthe gauge, where it merges into the transverse portion of the forks. The other end of the plate or clamp 5 terminates in a downwardly extending 4ear 8 provided with a thumb screw 9, which bears against one side of the ball of the rail, forv the purpose of drawing the spurs tight against the rail, and thereby holding the gauge in position.

Mounted in any suitable manner upon the body of the gauge adjacent the opposite end of the body is a conventional form of spirit level 10, whichv is held on the body by the support l'l in any suit-able manner. The opposite longitudinal edges of a cover plate l2, which engages over the spirit level and is securedA to the support, is provided with guides 13 to receive a slide 14, which covers the spirit level. When it is desired to read the spirit level, the slide may be moved back, so that the level is visible.

One end of the body of the gauge has a socket 15, to receive a reduced portion 16 ot' the gauge extension 17. The reduced portion of the gauge extension has graduations, for measuring the adjustment of the gauge extension, there being a thumb screw threaded through the wall or the socket and engaging the reduced portion of the gauge extension, for holding it in different positions. A rule 1S provided with graduations 19 Jfor measuring the elevation or a rail is mounted in a transverse slot 2O at the end of the gauge extension, there being a thumb screw 21 threaded through the wall of the slot to bear upon the,rule, thereby holding it in ditlerent adjusted positions. The gauge extension has a downwardly protruding abutment lug 22, which engages the outer edge of the ball of the outer rail, when the gauge is used 'for ascertaining whether or not the rails are properly spaced.

'5r centering block 23 is mounted on the body of the gauge and comprises two sections bolted together as at 24. A thumb screw 25 engages through one of the sections and bears against the tubular gauge body, for holding the centering head or block in position relatively upon the body of the gauge. Tn order to hold the centering block in a horizontal position a guide rod 26 is provided. This rod has lateral ends 27, 'which are reduced .at 28, and are disposed transversely of the tubular gauge body. The terminals ot the reduced portions 28 are threaded Jfor the reception of nuts 29, to hold the ends of the guide rod rigid, and thereby holding the rod rigid in -a position laterally of the tubular gauge body. The guide rod passes through a bushing 30, which is mounted between the two sections oliE the centering block or head.

The adjacent faces ot the two sections of the centering block or head have recesses, which, owing to the sections being clamped together7 cause to be formed a slot 31, for the reception of the enlarged end 32 of the gauge rule 33. rThe enlarged end 32 oli the gauge rule has an opening 34, which receives a perpendicular-ly disposed centering pin or rod which passes through the centering block or head. thumb screw 36 is threaded upon the upper section of the centering head or block and bears upon the centering pin or rod, thereby holding it in ditrerent positions, and at the same time anchoring the gauge rule in place.

The gauge rule is provided with graduations from one to thirty-three in inches and fractions thereof, for instance half and quarter inches. A slide comprising blocks 38 and 39 is mounted on the gauge rule, and projecting from the blocks are pins 40,

which enter openings of what may be termed an easement measuring rule 41, which is also provided with graduations. An abut-ment facing plate 42 is secured upon the block 39 and is adapted to engage the side oit the ball of the rail, when the gauge rule is detached from the gauge body, and employed for measuring whether or not the rails on a curve are properly spaced. Suitable thumb screws 43 engage through the blocks S8 and 39, for holding the slide in position. The block 38 has a sight opening 44, there being an indicator 45 engaged through the wall of the block 38, so that the end of the indicator may be seen through the opening 44.

A centering or ulcrum plate 46, which is tapered or V-shaped to a sharpened point is used in connection with the gauge rule, when detached, when Vmeasuring whether or not the opposite rails on a curve are properly aligned or spaced, throughout the curvature of the track. This centering or tulcrum plate has a flange 47, which engages one edge of the gauge rule, there being lugs 4S which engage along one of the edges of the gauge rule, to hold the ulcrum or centering plate rigid with relation to the gauge rule. A bolt 49 passes through the fulcrum or centering plate and through the gauge rule. and is provided with a nut 50, tor securing the plate in position.

Before starting to stake the curve in a track it is necessary to find the degree to curve. This can be accomplished by rst locating the tangent junction or point, where the straight portion of the track merges into the curve. For instance an operator may stand on the straight portion of the side rail, substantially at 50, sighting along the rail, using a transit, or using a cord lying on the straight portion of the rail, in connection with the plumb, and immediately where the inside rail starts to curve o from the straight portion ot the rail, the point of tangent may be located by making a cross mark at 51. A. similar cross mark may be made directly opposite the cross mark 51, on the outer rail, where the tangent junction or point of the outer rail may be located. A tape is then used to measure from the tangent point on the outer rail back upon the straight portion of the outer rail for 31 feet. A 50 foot tape line is then used, commencing to measure from the eXtra measurement point 52 on the outer rail to the tangent junction or point at 53, and then from this point along the rail every 31 feet, and at every 31 feet a cross mark 54, such as shown in Figure 9 is made on the base of the rail, until the workman reaches thetangent junction or point at 55, and the point of eXtra measurement at 5G on the other side of the curve. After measuring around the entire curve, making the cross marks7 a 62 foot track cord is then employed.' For instance this 62 lfoot track cord is provided with a knot in its center, so that the cord on each side of the knot will extend 31 feet. This cord is 'stretched tight against the insidel edge of t-he outer rail, one workman holding the cord to the' rail at 52, another workman holding the cord against the rail at 54, in which case the knot in the 62 foot track cord will locate itself opposite the point 53. Each time this 62 foot track cord `(not shown), but diagrammed as at 57 in Figure 9 is held against the inside of the outer rail consecutively 31 feet apart, a measurement is taken from the center of the cord where the knot is located to the rail. A notation ofthis amount is made After the curve of the outer rail has measured in this manner, these amounts are totaled' and thel sum thereof is then divided by the number of times the measurements are made.

For instance the dotted line 57 represents the 62 foot curve track cord, and the various amounts, beginning at the left hand end of Figure 9 represents the distances between the cord and the rail, such as 2, 3 3/16", 4 3/16", 3 4/16 and so on about the entire curve of the outer rail. It will be noted that the 'outer rail in Figure 9 is measured in this manner twenty-one times, and the sum total of the amounts of the measurements in Figure 9 equals 84 divided by 21, the number of times the measurements are taken. equals 4, therefore the illustration in Figure 9 is that of a four degree curve. In adding the amounts adjacent the' outer rail in Figure 9, the whole numbers are first added, and then the fractions. The suin total of the whole numbers gives while the sum total of the fractions in sixteenths gives 64/16, divided by 16 gives 4, which added to 80 makes a. total of 84".

Example.

sum total of the Whole numbers of the measurements in Figure 9. sum total of the fractions in Figure 9.

Total 4 four degree curve.

foot curve track cord, which is placed as in Figure 11. The cord is stretched tight against the inside edge of the outer rail of the curve, the gauge is placed across the track with the small end of the gauge facing the outside rail, with the graduated rule 33 attached to the sliding centering block. The easement ruleV 41 also remains attached.

The gauge in this'condition is placed aty the tangent junction, the vrule 33 having been.V

arranged, with the 62 lfootfcurve track cord in position.r The easement rule 41 is arranged so that'its rst notch No. 1 maybe engaged by the track cord, andv wherever the centering block occurs, a stake is driven into the ground under the block between the two rails, and is thenl punched with the centering pin. The gauge is 'then removed relatively to theA track' attho third cross mark, and again dispo-sed sof-that the curve track cord may engage the second notch of the rule 41, and afterward a stake is driven in position under the centering block. This is done consecutively for the entire length of the easement for 186,', up to the seventh notch of the rule 41. Each time the gauge is so moved, a stake is driven, and since all rails are laid on a standard basis o f 56 1/2 apart, the track gauge is then used beyond the easement, to locate stakes exactly 28 1/4 from the inside of the outer rail, for al distance from one full curve point 58 `to the other full curve point 59. Thel track gauge with the rule 33 and the easement rule 41 applied in position as previously stated is then placed at 7 at the end ofthe easement on the opposite side of the curve, and the gauge moved every 31 feet, the 62 Yfoot track cord being held against the inside rof the outer rail, so that the cord will engageY the notches of the rule 41, beginning with 7 and continuing` in a decreasing order to the first notch. It is obvious that when the stakes are placed in vthis manner they are not set exactly in the center, but after the rails have been lined properly on lthe opposite sides of the stakes, they will. assume central positions. f Y

After the stakes have been driven into place in this manner, the rule 33 together withits easement rule VA41 is detached from the track gauge, and the metal centering or fulcrum plate 46 is attached to the end of the rule 33, so that the rule 33 may standl upon its edge when in position. The attachment of the centering or fulcrum plate 46 is accomplished by means of the bolt I49.

The block 39 which supports the easement rule 41 is placed soI that the facing plate thereon will registerat 28 1/4. This produces a lining stick or rule. is then turned edgewise placing block 39 so that its facing plate 43 may engage against the inside edge of the outer rail opposite one of the sticks, then the traclc canbe moved so that the end ofthe fulcrum or centering plate 46niay engage on a tack driven in to the center of the stake, then it is possible to know that'the tack is exactly in the center between the two rails. The easement rule 41 is not used during this procedure, but it is not necessary to detach it from the rule 33 because it is not in the way. It is obvious that the gauge of the track being,- 4 8 1/2 Wide or 56 1/2 wide, half ot this amount is 28 1/4, therefore placing outside edge of block 39 at 2S 1/'4 and using the iiulcrum or centering plate 46 it will measure exactly Q8 l/t from the center of the bolt eli-9 to the facing plate 42 of block The easement of the outer rail is that portion of the rail which Will impart a spiral turn to the train or rolling stock, as the curve of track is taken.

ln order to locate the point of tangent and the point of tuil curve, thereby locating' the length ot the easement a Workman uses a transit or cord, sighting' from the straight portion 50 of the track to a plumb on the outer raii, as indicated by the dotted iine 59 in Figure 10. 1n locating` the easement, a basis of 186 is used `for the length ot the easement, as shown in the diagram in Figure 10, for a four degree curve. 'T his 186 may be divided by 31 feet, since it is the aim to drive a stake between the raiis every 31 feet, around the curve. Therefore dividing' 185 by 31, an easement of sir; divisions measuring 31 feet apart is obtained, which constitutes six stringr lengths. As the findingl of the easement is worked on a basis oi a four degree curve, as shown in Figure 9, which is equal to l between a foot track cord and the rail, on the Jfull. curve portion of the rail, it is the purpose to multiply the Il by 16, changing them into sirteentl the result of Which is @4r/16. This is divided by 6, since it is the aim to use six measurements for an easement on the curve, therefore 64 divided by 6 equals therefore the easement increases yevery 31 feet until it amounts to Li, as shown in the diagram in Fir-,ure 10. llhe easement rule 41 is exactly l from notch 1 to notch 7, divided in six equal parts, these notches being apart, as the present device is worked on basis of a :tour degree curve. However ail curves :1re worked on the same ilninciples, except the easement is figured according; to the degree @t curve and the number or measurements 31 feet ra-uart to be used on each easement. ln order to correct the track, that is the outer fail ci' the track. and in order to provide the proper easement, the rule 33 is detached from the gauge, the blocks 38 and 39 are adjusted so that when the block 89 is placed against the outer rail,

the outer rail at the point of tangent is positioned right at the notch 1, thereby making an increase of of an inch. The rule 33 is then moved to the next point o1 3l feet from the point ot tangent in a direction along` the easement, and the blocks 3S and 39 adjusted so that the cuter rail may register with the second notch 2 on the easement rule L11. These different adjustments are made during the time ot making); the consecutive measurements until the end ot' the easement is reached at a point indicated at 58, and at the time of making' ot an inch every 31 feet, thereby providing),l the six string` lengths of 31 feet, the sum oit these amounts is 64, as the example below will show.

Example.

10 2/3 l0 2/3 10 2/3 l0 2/3 l0 2/3 10 2/3 l 6164 lO 2 3 lin order to set the first stake at the right point of tangent it is necessary to make an extra measurement of thirty-one feet from the beginning of the easement out upon the straight portion of the track or rail. This is in order to make the measurement in the center of the cord and set a stake directly opposite the point of tangent in the center of the track.

Every curve of a different degree has its own scale, to produce the required easement between the body of the curve and Where the straight portion of the track merges thereinto, as the. various curves ot a track vary. lThe rule l1 is provided so that the degree of curve in inches subtracted from a half gauge of a track in inches is QS-,

the rule 41 is divided into six equal parts to apply to a four degree curve and the easements of other curves will be figured according to their respective degree of curve and so on. In other words there may be a plurality of rules 4l, for measuring easements of various curves having different degree of curve,

and where the easements vary in their formation.

In measuring the curve and the easements thereof by this implement, four inches which is the degree of the easement is subtracted from 284 leaving 244;. The rule 41 is divided into six equal parts, and the block 8S ot the slide, which also carries the rule 4l is placed so that its indicator is opposite the graduation 244; from the center of the aperture ot the enlargement of the gauge rule. After settingthe block 3S at this point it is necessary to attach and move the slide of the facing plate of the block 89 adjacent the ball ot the rail.

562- is the 4standard gauge between the rails of a track, therefore 28?,-V is half the distance, and the. reason 4". is subtracted from 28?; leaving 244, is' that the 4 stands 'for the easement. In other words the easement the Vdistancebetween a 62 foot curve track cord and the rail at every thirty-one feet, for six string lengths ofy thirty-one Jfeet as above explained, on a basis of four gree curve. 4The distance between said cord' and the rail at these points to provide an easement is of an inch, there being six of them, makes- 64/16, changed to inches equals 4".

It the track has a six degree curve,` 6 is subtracted from 282,-. It you have a ten de gree curve, 10 is subtracted from 284, and

so on; according to the degree or curve.

Another example is that should the track have a ten degree curve, l0 is subtracted' from 283,- leaving 184, in Vwhich case the block 38 which carries the `rule 33 is set at 184;. On a curve of this character 248 is used for the easement from pointot tangent to point of full curve, dividing 248 by 3l ments, vwhich is they length otr-the easement on a ten degree. curve, hencethe degree of curve is subtracted from 28,and divided .into as many parts as there lare'lengths in the easements,'for instance'such as 20/16 of an inch on the curve. '.llherei'forethe subtraction is made only for the purpose of,

running the easement ontlie curve. It is to be noted that it does not change` the length of the rule 33 when attaching the easement rule, because when"placingL the :indicating block 38 at 18:15 and then attach an easement rule of l0A the block 39 is still at 28ff-rom the center of the centering pin of thecentral block 23 to-notch No. l on easement rule4l.

The invention having been set l'orth.v what is claimed is:

l. In a track gauge, a gauge body, having means at one end for attachment to one rail, and means detachably connected to the other end and offset laterally `from the gauge body for measuring and *ascertaining the. spacing between the rails.

2. In a track gangen gaugebody, having means at one end for attachment toone rail, and means detachably connected `to theother end for measuringA and ascertaining the spacing between the rails, a centering pin adjustable on the gauge body and having a pointer to engage a stake between the rails.

In a .track gauge, a gauge bod-y, having meansvatv one end for attachmentto one rail, and means'detachably connected to the other end and' offset laterally from the gaugefbody for measuring and ascertaining. the spacingv between the` rails, said detachablewmeans at 'one end of the bodyvof the gauge having la depending lug to -contact with the rail and provided with transverse slot, Iand a rule formeasuring the elevation of theouter railY adjustably mounted -in said slot.

4. In a track gauge, a gauge body, having means at oneend for attachment to one rail,-

and means detachably connected to Ithe. other end and offset laterally from the gauge bodv tor ,measuring and ascertaining the spacing between the rails, land a spiritvlevel carried bv the gauge body.

5. In a track gauge, a gaugebody, having means at one end for attachment to one rail, and means detachably connectedto the other end for measuring `and ascertaining the spacing between the'rails, a guidemounted on the side ofthe `gauge body, a ulcrum head adjustable on the gauge body andren- Y gagedfwith said guidatoV hold the fulcrum head horizontally on the gauge body,.and a pointerl to eng-age through the ulcrum ,head

and adaptedto engagea Istake betweenthe rails. i i

6. In combination with a track gauge including a gauge body and a fulcrum head, of a gauge rule adjustably connected to the ulcrum head and provided witha slide, said slide comprising a pair of blocks, adjustable along the gauge rule, one of said gauge blocks having a facing plate adapted to engage the inner edge ot the ball or" the rail, and a rule detachably connected to the blocks of said slide and provided with graduations and notchesl adapted to cooperate with a standard curve track cord, for measuring and ascertaining the degree oli easement of the curve.

7. In a device for the purpose indicated, a gauge rule adapted to be carried by a track gauge, said rule having a centering point at one end adapted to engage a tack and a stake between the rails oft a curve, a slide on said gauge rule and including an easement measuring rule having graduations and notches, adapted for cooperation with a standard curve track cord, for measuring and ascertaining the degree of the easement of the curve of a track.

8. In a device for the purpose indicated, a gauge rule adapted to be carried by a track gauge, a ulcrum point adjacent one end of the rule and provided with means overlying the opposite edges of the rule for preventing the point from swiveling relatively to the rule, means engaging through the point and the rule for clamping the same thereto, a slide adjustable on the other end of the rule and having a facing plate at one end to engage the inner edge of a ball of the outside rail, and a rule carried by said slide and provided with graduations and notches for cooperation with a standard curve track cord, for measuring and ascertaining the degree of easement of the outer rail of a track curve.

9. A gauge rule for mounting on a track gauge, means at one end of the rule for supporting the rule upon a stake between two rails, an easement measuring rule mounted t'or adjustment on the gauge rule and provided with means adapted for cooperation with a standard curve track cord, for measuring and ascertaining the easement of the outer curved rail.

10. The combination with a track gauge provided with means at one end for operative connection to one rail ot a curved track, a gauge rule, means on the track gauge Jfor supporting the gauge rule in an offset position and in parallelism with the track gauge, means operatively mounted on` the track gauge and connecting with one end ot' the gauge rule for indicating the location oi? a centering stake between two rails, means on the gauge rule for cooperation with a standard curve track cord, for measuring and ascertaining the easement of the outer rail of a track.

il. The combination with a track gauge provided with means at one end `for operative connection to one rail of a curved track, a gauge rule, means on the track gauge for support-ing the gauge rule in an oiset position and in parallelism with the track gauge, means operatively mounted on the track gauge and connecting with one end of the gauge rule for indicating the location of a centering stake between two rails, means on the gauge rule for cooperation with a standard curve track cord, for measuring and ascertaining the easement of the outer rail of a track. and means for holding the easement measuring means in different positions on the gauge rule.

l2. The combination with a track gauge provided with means at one end for attac ment to one of the rails, a socket, a gauge extension operatively mounted in said socket, means for holding the gauge extension in different positions in the socket, said gauge extension having a vertical opening, and a rule mounted in said vertical opening and including a thumb screw whereby said rule may be held in different positions, for determining and measuring the height of the outside rail of a curved track.

13. The combina-tion with a track gauge provided with means at one end for engagement with the ball of a rail, said means comprising a pair of forks provided with claws to engageuone side of the ball of the rail, means having one end slidably and operatively connected to the shank of the pair of forks, and an extension at the other end to overlie the opposite side of the ball of the rail and provided with means for bearing' against the ball of the rail to hold the track gauge in place, and means at the other end ot the track gauge andl including a ruler tor measuring the height of an outside rail.

14. The combination with a track gauge provided with means at one end for attachment to the ball of a rail, a lateral support mounted on the gauge, a centering means on the track gauge and the support, a rule connected to the centering means end engaged with said supporting means, and an easement measuring and iinding device mounted on said rule and adapted for cooperation with a standard curve track cord, for measuring and iinding the degree of easement of a curve in a track.

n testimony whereof I hereunto aiX my signature.

, JUNIUS E. BUSBY. 

